The United Naga Council (UNC) on Sunday declared that it will impose a “trade embargo in Naga areas” under its jurisdiction from the midnight of September 8, calling it the beginning of a “non-cooperation movement” against the Government of India until “our grievances” are addressed satisfactorily.
The decision follows the failure of talks between Naga organisations led by UNC and representatives of the Centre on August 26 in New Delhi over the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.
In a statement issued to Newmai News Network, the UNC said the embargo is being enforced in response to the Centre’s February 6, 2024 decision to fence the 1,643 km Indo-Myanmar border and pave a patrol track for surveillance. The Cabinet Committee on Security later approved a proposal worth Rs 31,000 crore for the project in March 2024.
“If and when this project is materialised, more than 1,000 km of Naga homeland along Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh will be physically bifurcated, cutting all ties with our own people of the east, Nagas of Burma/Myanmar,” the UNC said.
The FMR, first introduced in 1950 and restructured in 1968, allowed cross-border movement without visa up to 40 km. The permissible limit was reduced to 16 km in 2004 and suspended entirely in February 2024. A new protocol finalised in December capped the limit at 10 km.
The Government of India has argued that fencing and abrogation of the FMR are necessary to check illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and the proliferation of firearms. The UNC countered that the measures disregard traditional land rights of the Nagas and have already begun affecting land in Tengnoupal areas of Chandel district, Manipur.
“Why should one seek permission to move freely in their own backyard or be under constant surveillance? It violates all civility and fairness norms… It is a reflection of insensitivity and hatred towards not only Naga people but humanity as a whole,” the UNC stated.
The UNC reiterated that the “imaginary international boundary” between India and Myanmar was arbitrarily demarcated and “not recognized by the Naga people straddling across the border.” It claimed the traditional boundary of the “Naga nation” lies from the Brahmaputra basin in the west to the Chindwin river valley in the east.
“Nagas will not accept any land alienation policy whatsoever,” it asserted.
The UNC demanded that:
· No project be implemented without free, prior and informed consent of the Naga people.
· No restrictions be imposed on movement along the Indo-Myanmar border.
· Detention, harassment, and surveillance of people in border areas be stopped.
· The border fencing project be abrogated.
· The Government of India focus on early settlement of the Indo-Naga peace process.
Calling the fencing plan “a declaration of war on the Naga people,” the UNC urged all Nagas to “remain vigilant and stand firm together” against what it described as “a gross injustice.”
While acknowledging that the embargo “may create inconveniences wherever it is implemented,” the UNC said it is a democratic and non-violent agitation reflecting the “expressed desire of the aggrieved Naga people.”
“This is the beginning of the Naga peoples’ non-cooperation movement that will be relentlessly followed by many such actions until our grievances are addressed satisfactorily,” it added.
The UNC appealed to “all democratic organisations and conscientious individuals” to lend support and participate in what it called a “movement for justice and the dignified future of the Naga peoples.”
(With inputs from Ukhrul Times)